Types of Media Items:

Open Media Stacks - Located along the back wall of the first floor behind the Corcoran collection shelves. These items can be checked out to GW students, faculty, and staff at any time.Closed Media Stacks - Located behind check out desk. These items can be checked out to GW students, faculty, and staff when the check out desk is open.In-Library Use Media - Located behind check out desk. These can be checked out to GW students, faculty, or staff anytime the check out desk is open.
Please Note: Only GW faculty can take 'in-library use items' out of the building.

To check media items out:

For 'open media items': Bring item and GWorld card to the check out desk. The item can also be checked out on the self check machine, but such items need to be brought to the check out or access desk so they can be unlocked.

Check Out Desk staff members can retrieve any closed or in-library use media items anytime the check out desk is open. For quicker access, please provide the check out desk staff member with call numbers for needed items.

If faculty members need items placed on reserve, please fill out the online reserve form to ensure that media items are available when needed.

Please Note:

Library users from other WRLC schools are welcome to use closed and in-library media material on site, but cannot take such items away from the building.

Loan Periods and Fines for GW Media Collection

Your status with the university determines the amount of time you have with items in our media collection.

Loan Periods and Fines

Faculty/Research Staff (stf1)

Loan Period: 7 days

Fines: $1.20/day

Grace Period: none

Maximum Overdue Fine (per item): $30.00

Recall/Hold: Can place holds on GW media items.

Fines For Recalls: $5.00/day

Maximum Overdue Recall Fine: $25.00

Lost/Damaged Fine: $127.00 or replacement costs

Please note: Faculty members must authorize a GW student or staff member as a Proxy Borrower before they will be allowed to check out any items on that faculty member's behalf. To authorize a proxy borrower, please complete the Proxy Authorization Form and return it in person or by mail to the Check Out Desk, Gelman Library, 2130 H Street, NW, Washington DC, 20052 or by email to gelman@gwu.edu. For further information, please contact any manager at the Check Out Desk at 202.994.6840.

Undergraduate/Nondegree Student

Loan Period: 5 days

Fines: $1.20/day

Grace Period: none

Maximum Overdue Fine (per item): $30.00

Recall/Hold: Can place holds on GW media items.

Fines For Recalls: $5.00/day

Maximum Overdue Recall Fine: $25.00

Lost/Damaged Fine: $127.00 or replacement costs

Graduate/Law/Medical Student

Loan Period: 5 days

Fines: $1.20/day

Grace Period: none

Maximum Overdue Fine (per item): $30.00

Recall/Hold: Can place holds on GW media items.

Fines For Recalls: $5.00/day

Maximum Overdue Recall Fine: $25.00

Lost/Damaged Fine: $127.00 or replacement costs

GW Staff (stf2)

Loan Period: 3 days

Fines: $1.20/day

Grace Period: none

Maximum Overdue Fine (per item): $30.00

Recall/Hold: Can place holds on GW media items.

Fines For Recalls: $5.00/day

Maximum Overdue Recall Fine: $25.00

Lost/Damaged Fine: $127.00 or replacement costs

Borrowing Media from Consortium Libraries

Students, faculty, and staff may request media materials from most of the consortium libraries. To borrow media materials from consortium libraries, please place a consortium loan request for the title you need. Borrowing periods, fines and fees are the same regardless of GW status.

Loan Period: 5 days

Fines: $10.00/day

Grace Period: none

Maximum Overdue Fine (per item): $30.00

Lost/Damaged Fine: Fine/Fee set by item's home school.

Media items requested through consortium loan will only be held on the hold shelf for five days.

Please Note: Faculty members who anticipate using borrowed media materials more than once should contact their collection development librarian for possible purchase.

Consortium media materials are not eligible to be placed on course reserve.

Other Information

Viewing stations are located on the first floor.

Headphones and remote controls can be checked out at the check out desk.

Media materials may be returned to staff at the Check Out Desk on the entrance floor when the desk is staffed or placed in the reserve drop box located on the left side of the Check Out Desk when the desk is closed. Patrons may be responsible for replacing any damaged media item returned to the main check out bookdrops.

For more information, call the Check Out Desk at (202) 994-6840 or email librcir@gwu.edu.